14 DAY TRIAL // When I was young, the portrayal of Minsc in the Baldur's Gate video games felt like high-art for me, a mix of comedy, tragedy and interactivity that I had not experienced in any other medium.
I loved the writing of that series, the way it managed to deliver some very serious and horrific moments, but also the fact that it had plenty of accessible jokes and even some high-minded evaluations of ethical subjects.
I might not be as impressed today, and after a period of enchantment, the writing of Pillars of Eternity has begun to feel like it might need some improvements in some areas of the game, by means of an expansion or a full-blown sequel.
The actual world building done by Obsidian is great, and I like to learn more about the nations, the races, the various conflicts and the other events that have shaped the places I travel through.
But the lines the characters say, be they companions or NPCs, tend to be relatively flat and sometimes uninspired, with limited humor and a bit too much darkness for my tastes.
Pillars of Eternity is a world where the situation is grim, and it makes sense to show the player how heartless and violent creatures, regardless of race or religion, can be.
But even the miniature space pig could not cheer me up at times, even if it's designed to be a throwback to the giant hamster that becomes the trusted partner of Minsc.
Pillars of Eternity understands complexity
If the writing has sometimes failed to be worthy of a spiritual successor of Baldur's Gate, the complexity of the situations has always been up to par.
Obsidian understands that gamers have grown up a lot and that they are no longer impressed by straight good versus evil situations where the positive force manages to overcome the odds in order to save the day.
All the sides involved in the quests of Pillars of Eternity tend to have at least a kernel of truth and justice on their side.
Most of the time, lack of communication, prejudice and a faulty understanding of the world tend to make people act in an irrational manner, stocking the fires of conflict rather than trying to find a way to make peace.
Pillars of Eternity manages to create interesting choices, but a little more lighthearted content would have been welcomed.
